I have found my share of bad information on the internet but rarely have I ever found so much bad information as I have when I was browsing articles on how to attach broadheads. Some of it was downright dangerous and most of it would cost you far more than you need to spend. Almost every article was incorrect at best. If you want to know what should be used to screw on broadheads the correct way, we are going to cover it all!
Note: For this article we will assume you are installing modern broadheads on modern arrows meant for a recurve or compound bow. If you are using a traditional bow with all wood traditional arrows, the process is more difficult and more complicated. But we aren’t going to worry about that now.
Contents
Tools
You are going to need a few things and there are a few commonly recommended products that you don’t need or should avoid.
Glue
If your arrows did not come with the threaded insert installed, you will need to press fit those in. I have seen recommendations of a lot of glues from Super Glue to hot glue. Super Glue works well, I prefer Gorilla Glue brand which can install more inserts than you will need from one inexpensive bottle. Don’t use hot glue. There are a number of issues that can cause inaccuracy or even damage arrow shafts.
When you thread in the insert, you can use a tiny drop of Locktite Blue to make sure things stay secure but are still removable.
Broadhead Wrench
If you have been asking yourself what should be used to screw on broadheads, well this is it. There are a few different versions out there that work well for fixed blade broadheads but none that will work on most mechanical broadheads. The two I like most are the Allen Universal Broadhead Wrench and the Lansky Combo Sharpener/Wrench. Both are very inexpensive and work well.
Now, I will tell you that I no longer use either wrench. All I use now is a set of cut resistant gloves that are very inexpensive and work very well. The brand isn’t important but Stark Safe Cut Gloves are very inexpensive.
Other Tools
There are no other tools. Those are the only things you will need and you can get them all for dirt cheap. Don’t use pliers on your arrows or try to hammer in the inserts when they have hot glue on them. Use the tools above and you will do fine.
Also, you don’t need a broadhead alignment tool. Those are for putting traditional, old fashioned heads on wood arrows. They won’t help you a bit.
Installing your Broadheads
Once you have your tools, broadheads and arrows you are ready to go.
Step 1: How to Installing Inserts
If your arrows did not come with inserts and you have to install them yourself, break out the Gorilla Glue and some rubber gloves and you are ready to go. (The gloves keep you from getting oils from you skin on the inserts).
Put a small drop of glue on the insert and spread it around until most of the insert is covered then hand press it in to the arrow until its flush. You will have to work quickly as the glue will dry in about half a minute. Set the arrows aside to cure for about 15 minutes before you move on.
Step 2: How to put Broadheads on Arrows
Once you glue is try, get out your blue Locktite (make sure the fluid is blue and not read, the bottles will always be red) and put on your cut resistant gloves. For safety broadheads should kept in a case until ready to use.
Put a small drop of Locktite about half way up the threads and screw it in while wearing the gloves. It just needs to be hand tightened. There is no reason to crank down on it. If you use a broadhead wrench, be very careful not to overtighten.
The broadhead should screw in easily. If not, make sure your threads are clean and that the broadhead isn’t cross threaded. If you meet resistance, remove the broadhead and try again. Once it is in properly it should be snug against the insert installed in step 1.
Note: Just because you have cut resistant gloves doesn’t mean you can be careless. The point can still penetrate and you could still get cut. The gloves work well but still treat the broadhead as if it were sharp.
Step 3: There is no Step 3
That’s it. Two steps only and now you know how to screw in broadheads. No fluff or expensive products. Just a simple procedure and a few points to remember. Those broadheads should stay attached even from the hardest impacts. I have shot hundreds of arrows assembled that way and never had an issue.
Now it’s time to get out and tune them to your bow. That takes a little more effort.
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